In memory of my uncle who served in the Guadalcanal campaign during World War II

My uncle, William Brighenti, enlisted in the navy at the start of World War II, and participated in the sea battles against the Imperial Japanese Navy in and around the Solomon Islands, including the Island of Guadalcanal and the Battle of the Kula Gulf.  During those many battles, his ship, the U.S.S. Radford, was hit by enemy fire, including, I believe, a hit by a Kamikaze pilot, resulting in some of his shipmates being jolted overboard into the ocean and becoming entrapped in oil fires raging on the surface of the sea.  In response, my uncle jumped into the ocean, risking his own life, to rescue shipmates; he was decorated for doing such.

I write this blog entry in memory of him on this Memorial Day.  He was not only a good citizen, he was a great uncle.  I cherish his memory.